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RCF plans to build $95m phosphoric acid unit at Thal

Written by Natalie Noor-Drugan


India’s state-owned Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd (RCF) has granted in-principle board approval to set up a new 300 t/day phosphoric acid plant at its Thal unit in Alibag, Maharashtra. The company put the investment at about INR 8.65bn ($95.36m), with funding planned through a combination of debt and equity. RCF said the proposed capacity addition is 300 t/d “on a 100% P₂O₅ basis”.

In its 12th February Bombay Stock Exchange filing, RCF said the project is expected to take 24 months from the Letter of Intent and is intended to strengthen backward integration. The move is likely to reduce the company’s need to procure phosphoric acid externally, with RCF’s own tender trail showing it has sought third-party “supply and delivery of phosphoric acid and sulphuric Acid at the RCF, Thal unit” in a recent Expression of Interest process.

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Coromandel starts trial operations at new acid plants

Coromandel International says that it has started trial production at its new sulphuric acid and phosphoric acid plants in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. The company says that this marks a crucial step towards transforming the unit into a fully integrated facility, significantly enhancing production capacity and diminishing reliance on imported raw materials for fertiliser manufacturing. The company is now focusing on a phased ramp-up. The new plants have of 2,000 t/d of sulphuric acid and 650 t/d of phosphoric acid, respectively. The integration of these acid plants is strategic, aligning with Coromandel's objective to strengthen backward integration in its fertiliser manufacturing value chain. By producing key intermediates in-house, the company aims to secure stable supplies, enhance cost efficiencies, and achieve greater self-sufficiency, thereby reducing dependence on imported raw materials. The project aims to replace over 50% of the Kakinada plant's imported acid requirements and mirror the integration levels seen at its Vizag and Ennore facilities.